Johnny's Navajo Hogan

Owner, Nicholas Fontecchio built the Navajo Hogan as a roadhouse in 1935. At that time, the only source for live entertainment was the Broadmoor Hotel. Nicholas was convinced that the potential for a dance club/night club in Colorado Springs was enormous. Nicholas moved west as a labor organizer for the United Mine Workers to help organize the mine workers of Colorado. Nicholas spent considerable time with the Navajo Indians, many of whom were miners. Hence, the Navajo Hogan Roadhouse was modeled and constructed after a Navajo Indian dwelling. The two large domes were constructed “without a single nail,” truly an engineering marvel. Nicholas had a vision to provide a place for everyone from the region to gather along with the miners to interact together without affiliations, to meet as individuals and bond as friends and neighbors. The “Hogan” is a sacred home for the Dine(Navajo) people who practice traditional religion. Every Navajo family must have the Hogan for ceremonies to keep themselves in balance even if they live most of the time in a more conventional home. The Navajo Hogan has operated as a dance club, night club, strip club, high class restaurant, live music venue, and landmark restaurant in Southern Colorado for more than 67 years. The “dining room” was built in 1937 and the upstairs bathrooms were moved and replaced with the kitchen in 1980. There was a fire in the dining room in the 1980’s where the only casualty was a 6’ stuffed grizzly bear. Damage to the floor forced replacement of it and smoke damage discolored the ceiling. There are rumors of things that have occurred in the building, some proven and some not. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior in September of 1990 In the tradition of Southside Johnny’s and Mr Fontecchio, our vision is to offer great food, service and entertainment.  We will be open seven days a week and will be serving lunch and dinner and providing live music on the weekends.